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Georges St. Pierre walks out in his Hayabusa "Rising Sun" Gi, a symbol which is considered offensive to many Koreans. - Esther Lin for MMA FIghting

Chan Sung Jung was "shocked" to see UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre make his way to the Octagon for his UFC 158 bout against Nick Diaz wearing a Hayabusa-sponsored gi that featured the Japanese "Rising Sun" symbol, which is a symbol that many Koreans deem offensive and disrespectful.

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre earned an impressive victory over fast-talking Nick Diaz a few weeks ago at UFC 158 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, defending his world title for the eighth time.

However, despite his dominant performance, "Rush" may have unknowingly upset some Asian supporters -- Korean fans to be exact -- because of his Hayabusa-sponsored attire.

And current top UFC featherweight contender Chan Sung Jung is among them.

St. Pierre, a traditional martial artist who holds a black belt in Shidokan -- a form of Japanese Karate -- has often worn Japanese-influenced logos on his walkout gear, but the symbol of Japanese "Rising Sun Flag," was a reminder to Asians of the many war crimes its people fell victim to at the hands of the Japanese military.

"The Korean Zombie" respectfully explained his concerns to "GSP" via his Facebook page:

Quote:

Dear Mr. Georges St. Pierre

Hi, My name is Chan Sung Jung from South Korea. As one of many Koreans who like you as an incredible athlete, I feel like I should tell you that many Korean fans, including myself, were shocked to see you in your gi designed after the Japanese 'Rising Sun Flag'. For Asians, this flag is a symbol of war crimes, much like the German Hakenkreuzflagge. Did you know that? I hope not.

Just like Nazis, the Japanese also committed atrocities under the name of 'Militarism'. You can easily learn what they've done by googling (please do), although it's only the tiny tip of an enormous iceberg.

Furthermore, the Japanese Government never gave a sincere apology, and still to this day, so many victims are dying in pain, heartbroken, without being compensated. But many westerners like to wear clothes designed after the symbol under which so many war crimes and so much tragedy happened, which is ridiculous.

I know most of them are not militarists. I know most of them do not approve unjustified invasion, torture, massacre, etc. They're just ignorant. It's such a shame that many westerners are not aware of this tragic fact. Wearing Rising Sun outfits is as bad as wearing clothes with the Nazi mark on it, if not worse.

Since you're influenced by Japanese Martial Arts, your wearing a headband designed after Japanese flag is understandable. But again, that huge 'Rising Sun' on your Gi means something else.

Many people say GSP is the best Welterweight fighter throughout history, to which I totally agree. This means you have a great influence on every single fan of yours all around the world. And I do believe your wearing 'the symbol of War Crime' is a very bad example for them, not to mention for yourself.

So, what do you reckon?
Do you want to wear the same Gi next time as well?
- with Georges St-Pierre and Georges St-Pierre.

It looks like St. Pierre, as well as his sponsor Hayabusa, may have overlooked a tiny little detail when designing the 170-pound champion's Gi, which to many Korean's -- and other countries which were victims to Japanese aggression -- is considered offensive and associate the symbol with Japanese militarism and imperialism.

While it's highly unlikely neither St. Pierre nor Hayabusa were privy to this information before, "The Korean Zombie" begs the question: Knowing now that the "Rising Sun" symbol is as disrespectful as the swastika -- Adolf Hitler's hate-fueled brand under the Nazi movement -- will St. Pierre and Co. keep this history lesson in mind when deciding what to wear out for his next title defense?

I was hoping this 'story' would go unnoticed. Fair play to Korean Zombie for being respectful, but the symbol obviously means something entirely different to GSP (we all know how much he respects martial arts), and Hayabusa sponsors many UFC and other fighters. Frankly, I'm certain everything under the sun could be construed as offensive by people the world over. The 'Rising Sun' symbol means many things to many people. What might represent war crimes in one area of the world clearly represents martial arts in another - why should either side be made to conform to the views of the other?

And the swastika comparison is a bit much. This isn't a case of some skinhead marching around with a swastika tattooed on his forehead. It's a man who covets martial arts wearing a symbol representative of martial arts.

That said, I'm not Korean. I can't appreciate what the symbol means to some. But I'm also open minded enough to know that some views and representations don't translate across continents.

I don't see anything wrong with the Korean Zombie expressing himself. And I really doubt GSP was aware of the meaning behind the rising sun flag. For example me myself... I just looked up Rising Sun Flag on wikipedia and saw it was actually a version of the Japanese flag used by various military forces. Before now I had no idea. So I can see how this could be offensive considering some of the horrible things the Japanese have done in the past.

Imagine walking infront of Jews with a gigantic Swastika? Or going to an group for African Americans wearing the Confederation Flag??? I completely understand the Korean Zombie... but I'm 100% GSP wasn't even aware of the meaning of that flag.

I don't see anything wrong with the Korean Zombie expressing himself. And I really doubt GSP was aware of the meaning behind the rising sun flag. For example me myself... I just looked up Rising Sun Flag on wikipedia and saw it was actually a version of the Japanese flag used by various military forces. Before now I had no idea. So I can see how this could be offensive considering some of the horrible things the Japanese have done in the past.

Imagine walking infront of Jews with a gigantic Swastika? Or going to an group for African Americans wearing the Confederation Flag??? I completely understand the Korean Zombie... but I'm 100% GSP wasn't even aware of the meaning of that flag.

I feel the same way. Very unfortunate that this had to happen but I don't believe for a second that GSP or anyone involved knew the meaning behind this flag. I certainly didn't know.

Spite but the hatred in Asia is still very "current". I have a Japanese friend who won't goto China because she says people hate her the second they know she's Japanese. The government even issued a travel warning telling people from Japan not to goto China because it's "dangerous". This isn't just some conflict from "way back then".

The comparison to the Swastika is ridiculous, the Nazi symbol represents political views and not good ones either.

To someone living in Korea or Chine this symbol could be just as offensive. To them this flag represents an imperial nation that conquered and enslaved people with extremely negative political and social policies toward the countries dominated.

It may not be as offensive to as many people, but to certain people it could be considered just as offensive.

Symbolism is, and always will be subjective. Regarding the Swastika; it had a completely different meaning until Hitler corrupted it. The whole 'I'm offended attitude' had gone over the cliff long ago. Too the point where I can't even take it remotely serious anymore. Usually it is not even the people directly affected doing the complaining. It is people complaining for them.

If he was the Chinese Zombie I could understand his position a lot more.

Either way...this is just silly and overly redundant. Offended? Look away.